Polk is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. A second-round pick last spring, Polk got some chances in a top-three role as a rookie but caught just 12 of 33 targets (for 87 yards and two TDs) before suffering a shoulder injury Week 17. It apparently was serious enough to require surgery but shouldn't threaten his availability for Week 1 of 2025. New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he's excited about how Polk has approached his rehabilitation and focused on lower-body strength in the meantime. Once he's healthy, Polk will compete for playing time with new additions Stefon Diggs (ACL tear) and Mack Hollins, as well as 2025 holdovers DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker.
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Status
QUESTIONABLE - Shoulder - Surgery Expected Return: 2025-05-01Latest Ja'Lynn Polk news
Team
New England Patriots
Birthdate
4/11/2002 (23)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'1", 203 lbs
Draft Info
2024: Rd 2; Pk (NE)
Birthplace
Lufkin, TX, USA
Position
WR
College
Washington
Career History
New England Patriots
2024-Present
(1 season)
Polk is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. A second-round pick last spring, Polk got some chances in a top-three role as a rookie but caught just 12 of 33 targets (for 87 yards and two TDs) before suffering a shoulder injury Week 17. It apparently was serious enough to require surgery but shouldn't threaten his availability for Week 1 of 2025. New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he's excited about how Polk has approached his rehabilitation and focused on lower-body strength in the meantime. Once he's healthy, Polk will compete for playing time with new additions Stefon Diggs (ACL tear) and Mack Hollins, as well as 2025 holdovers DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker.
Polk (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Chris Mason of The Springfield Republican reports. Polk had already been ruled out Friday, so the transaction is just meant to help the team sign a player to the active roster for the final game of the season. The 2024 second-round pick was a dramatic disappointment given the wide receivers taken after the rookie as Polk finished with just 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns despite playing 15 games and 412 offensive snaps during those contests. The Patriots are expected to aggressively add to their wide receiver room, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Polk way down the pass-catching hierarchy entering the 2025 campaign.
Polk (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. Polk was the No. 37 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and posted a miserable rookie season, finishing the year with 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 33 targets. After opening the season as a starter, Polk fell behind Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne on the depth chart. At 0.35 yards per route run as a rookie, Polk was dead last among 111 qualifying wide receivers.
Polk (shoulder) did not participate at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. For the second straight day, Polk was unable to practice due to a shoulder issue he presumably picked up in Week 17 versus the Chargers. He'll probably have to practice Friday to have any chance to play in Week 18 versus the Bills.
Polk (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday. Polk appears to have picked up a shoulder injury in the Patriots' Week 17 loss to the Chargers, despite logging 20 offensive snaps and failing to catch his only target. The 2024 second-round pick from Washington has seen his production drop significantly since Week 7, recording just two catches for nine yards and one touchdown over his last nine games. Regardless, Polk likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to play in the Week 18 matchup against the Bills.
Polk was on the field for 20 of a possible 51 snaps on offense in Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Cardinals, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports. The 2024 second-rounder, who was out-snapped Sunday by Kayshon Boutte (45) DeMario Douglas (31) and Kendrick Bourne (27), failed to bring in his only target. With just 12 catches on 32 targets for 87 yards and two TDs in 13 games this season, Polk remains off the fantasy radar as anything but a dynasty stash.
Polk logged 20 of a possible 72 snaps on offense in Sunday's 25-24 loss to the Colts, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Polk -- who didn't haul in his only target Sunday -- continues to work behind Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne, a context that has limited the rookie's fantasy upside of late. While it's possible that the team looks to get Polk more involved down the stretch following a Week 14 bye, for now he's off the lineup radar.
Polk was on the field for 23 of a possible 69 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-15 loss to the Dolphins, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Once again, Polk was out-snapped by Kayshon Boutte (60), DeMario Douglas (47) and Kendrick Bourne (41). In the process, the 2024 second-rounder caught one of his two targets for seven yards. With that in mind, Polk is off the fantasy radar in re-draft formats until or unless he's able to reclaim a steady role in New England's offense.
Polk logged 31 of a possible 76 snaps on offense in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Rams, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Polk -- who was out-snapped by Kayshon Boutte (73), DeMario Douglas (43) and Kendrick Bourne (36) -- wasn't targeted in the contest. With just 11 catches for 80 yards and two TDs on 28 targets through 10 games to date, Polk is off the fantasy radar for now, though as the season continues to progress, the 2024 second-rounder could become more involved in the Patriots offense.